Medline Industries expands program to hospice

SmartCare, a personal care assistance program, has expanded to hospice, according to supplier Medline Industries.

The patient monitoring program is similar to a nurse call button, but connects the patient to a personal care assistant who helps virtually. The company said SmartCare helped to avoid nearly 300 hospital readmissions and facilities saved over $1 million in total healthcare dollars in 2014.

Assistants are trained to know when to involve the patient's home health agency.